One year old and band is doing great

A WESTON-super-Mare band has enjoyed a 90 per cent boost in membership in its very first year.

Since its inception in January, WorleWind Band has gone from three to 30 musicians, with the youngest only 14 years old.

Their last concert in Grove Park received a standing ovation and the group said they were indebted to the support of John Horler, who runs the Grove Park cafe and helped them to keep up the music tradition in the park.

The band has already started taking bookings for the remainder of the year and has concerts planned on October 21 at Sidcot Arts Centre and December 4 at Milton Methodist Church.

Musical director Julia Ractliffe said: “We have been genuinely amazed by the response from players and audiences. Their enthusiasm is infectious and this manifests itself in the music.”

WorleWind Band rehearses on Thursday nights, and anyone interested in joining or booking the band is invited to contact Andy and Julia Ractliffe on 01934 517719, or visit the band’s website at

Competent instrumentalists of at least grade five standard are still wanted to complete the line up in the brass and lower wind sections.